Adam Johnson's neighbour Rio Ferdinand's Ad a word

The England pair may play for rival Manchester clubs but City winger Johnson reveals that the United defender has been helping him with his career off the pitch.[>

[>

Ex-Middlesbrough man Johnson has struggled to command a first-team place at Eastlands following a boozy session with team-mates Joe Hart and Gareth Barry.[>

[>

That brought him a very public dressing down from boss Roberto Mancini and led to him being axed from City’s starting line-up. But in Ferdinand, he has somebody close at hand, who knows what it takes to make it to the top – and the pitfalls waiting there.[>

[>

Johnson, 23, said: “From the minute I first met Rio, he’s been absolutely brilliant. I speak to him a lot – about off-the-field stuff and how I can do things that can help me in my career. He lives next door to me, which is good. And he’s said to me if there’s anything I need or want then he’s always there to help me.[>

[>

“I think that’s the job of an England captain, to look after players. It doesn’t matter if you are with a rival team, he’s always ready to help.”[>

[>

Ferdinand is only too happy to help Johnson rise up the ladder as he regards him a vital part of the country’s football future.[>

[>

Former England Under-21 star Johnson first emerged on the full international scene just before the World Cup finals last summer. [>

[>

While he missed out on Fabio Capello’s final cut for South Africa, he has since been a regular in the senior set-up.[>

Ferdinand said: “Adam is a top player. He’s direct and can play off both wings. He has an eye for goals and for a good pass.[>

[>

“He likes to take people on, drop a shoulder and do things in a game, he’s brilliant.”[>

[>

But Johnson’s main concern now is to get back into Mancini’s good books and help fire City’s challenge for major honours.[>